As controversy swirled around then-Vice President Al Gore in 1997, White House officials contemplated how to bolster his image and emphasize his value to the administration.

That fall, Mr. Gore was facing a surge of negative publicity and an inquiry examining the legality of his fundraising activities during the 1996 re-election campaign.

In a memo, Gore chief of staff Ron Klainsuggested portraying the vice president as “one of the guys” and an integral contributor on every issue.

“The reason the White House staff has rallied behind Gore at his time of need is because Gore is part of the team,” Mr. Klain wrote. “Anecdotes of him dealing with you on key issues or events would be helpful. I am trying to knock down the idea that Clinton White House’s support for Gore is based on legacy notions and build up the idea that it is based on respect, relationships and in-the-foxhole commaradarie. (sic)”

An assortment of allegations brought intense scrutiny to White House ethics and threatened to imperil Mr. Gore’s presidential prospects. After a series of probes into White House fundraising, Attorney General Janet Reno eventually declined to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the vice president’s role.

In the memo, Mr. Klain also said officials should emphasize the vice president’s relentless advocacy for issues such as the environment, science and technology.

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